The 2020 Major League Baseball season is currently in flux, and there are a lot of questions that need to be answered. When is Opening Day? Will teams have to play the World Series in the snow? The only question that really needs to be answered is what is everyone’s obsession with toilet paper? We may never know the answers to these questions, but we can look into the future to see who the 2020 American League Rookie of the Year will be. Here is an in-depth look at the top three candidates
1. Nate Pearson, RHP, Blue Jays-
The Toronto Blue Jays have horded a ton of young talent over the last few years, and their fans have waited patiently for all the talent to come to fruition. The Blue Jays may not be in playoff contention in 2020 but that doesn’t mean Jays fans can’t have fun watching the development of position players Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Cavan Biggio, Bo Bichette, and the ace of the bunch Nate Pearson. Pearson had a dominant 2019, starting at Class A Advanced Dunedin and worked his way up to Triple A Buffalo. Pearson finished 2019 going 5-4 with a 2.30 ERA, 119/27 K/BB, and a 0.89 WHIP over 25 starts. Pearson’s repertoire includes an 80-grade fastball that usually coasts around 98-101 MPH, along with a mid-80’s slider, an average changeup, and a top to bottom curveball that works on both sides of the plate. Pearson has had an excellent spring so far, appearing in four games and starting one. He has pitched to a 1.29 ERA, 11/3 K/BB, and 0.71 WHIP over seven innings of work. Pearson could start the season in Triple A due to service time concerns, but once called up he should light the great white north on fire. Pearson projects to have a 2.60 ERA, 130 strikeouts, 0.90 WHIP and 10.5 Strikeouts per 9 in 2020.
2. Jesus Luzardo, LHP, Athletics-
The 12th overall prospect should finally get his opportunity to shine in 2020. Luzardo had an opportunity to join the A’s rotation in 2019, but a shoulder strain sidelined him for most of the season. Once he recovered the A’s called him up in September and kept him in the bullpen. Luzardo took advantage of the relief opportunity as he pitched to a 1.30 ERA, 16/3 K/BB, with 2 saves in six appearances. Luzardo has had a strong spring as a starter so far as he has a 1.08 ERA, 13/1 K/BB over 8 1/3 innings. Luzardo’s stuff has been referred to by scouts as “electric”. His fastball touches 98 MPH but remains in the mid-90’s consistently. He also has one of the best changeups in all of the minor leagues and is working on a cutter-like slider that can accumulate a lot of outs in the future. Overall, Luzardo should be at the top of the A’s rotation as soon as they break camp, whenever that may be. Luzardo projects to have a 2.50 ERA, 145 strikeouts, 0.88 WHIP and 12 strikeouts per 9 in 2020.
3. Jo Adell, OF, Angels-
Adell may be on the same team as the best player in the world in Mike Trout, but that shouldn’t take anything away from the fact that he can be a five-tool player of his own. Adell’s combination of power and speed got him to Triple A as a 20-year-old in 2019, and that dynamic combination should allow him to join Trout in LA’S outfield in 2020. Adell had an impactful 2019 as he hit .289 with 10 homeruns, 36 RBI and seven stolen bases across three levels, finishing at Triple A Salt Lake. Adell did not show off his speed as much last season as he dealt with lingering hamstring and ankle injuries throughout the season. Adell boasts elite bat speed along with power to all fields, which is why there is so much potential and room to grow in his game. If Adell can lay off the strikeouts and focus on getting on base, he can be one of the most dynamic players in 2020. Adell has had a good spring so far, batting .280 with 2 RBI and 2 doubles in 25 at-bats. Given the Angels lack of depth in the corner outfield positions, Adell can and most likely will win the left field job at some point in 2020. Adell projects as a .270 hitter with 10 home runs, 70 RBI and 20 stolen bases in 2020.
American League Rookie of the Year Prediction: Jesus Luzardo
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